Harry Redknapp is new Queens Park Rangers manager after Mark Hughes

London: Queens Park Rangers confirmed on Saturday that Harry Redknapp has been appointed as their new manager, replacing the sacked Mark Hughes.

The former Tottenham boss will take up a two-and-a-half year deal at Loftus Road with QPR bottom of the Premier League ahead of their match against Manchester United later Saturday.

Redknapp, who will be in the stands at Old Trafford to watch his new side, told the club’s official website: “I’m delighted to be back in the managerial hot-seat at QPR.

“When I spoke to the shareholders and they told me about their plans I knew this was too good an opportunity to turn down.

“There’s no doubt there’s a lot of ability in the squad, but for one reason or another things haven’t gone as well as everyone expected since the start of the season.

“I can’t wait to get to work and get the results necessary to kick-start our season.”

Redknapp’s appointment come just a day after the sacking of former Manchester United striker Hughes, who had been in charge only for 10 months.

He managed to stave off relegation for QPR on the final day of last season, but the club have struggled this year, failing to win any of their opening 12 league games and they are currently four points adrift at the bottom of the table.

QPR chairman Tony Fernandes said: “Harry was our number one target, the unanimous choice of the board and we’re delighted we’ve been able to attract him to the club.

“He has a proven track record in the Premier League and has all the characteristics we were looking for to get us out of the current situation we find ourselves in.

“His man-management skills are second to none and we are confident he is the right man to lead us away from the bottom of the table.”